Punjab will be getting another International Airport, which is being constructed in Ludhiana, within a few weeks. According to the authorities directly working on the project, it is anticipated that the construction will enter the final phase and will be finished by April 30.
Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, Himanshu Jain, has asked the Indian Air Force (IAF) to complete the pending 10 percent of the work and has initiated the process of securing the key statutory approvals from various departments, which shall be completed by the end of this month.
A special and essential airport code has been issued to the airport - which is important before the flights can begin. As the airport was constructed at the Halwara Air Force Base, the international airport was named “Halwara Airport.” However, the name is not permanent and might be changed in the future.
Along with this, some reports have claimed that the construction sites are properly surveyed by the Deputy Commissioner, who has instructed them to complete the construction work or all the remaining tasks by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Additionally, he has advised the contractors and other people involved in the project to complete all the necessary touches as soon as possible.
Various key areas, such as the runway repairs, concrete casting, and the installation of signs, were checked by the DC himself.
What’s Done and What’s Pending
According to the latest update, most of the work has been completed, except for the last layering of the runway - which is in the final stage.
Besides this, the remaining tasks include:
- Getting approvals from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
- Fire safety clearance (NOC)
- Cutting of trees blocking the area
- Putting up signs at the main terminal and IAF zones
- Installing lights and cables on taxiways and the aircraft parking area
- Furniture and chairs for waiting areas
- CCTV and flight information display systems
- Final touches to the drainage system
- Replacing fencing with a permanent boundary wall
- Building support facilities and a security watchtower
Despite these remaining works, DC has assured that the airport will be fully constructed by April 30 and will be ready for airport operations.
Big Milestone After Years of Delay
This new airport is replacing Ludhiana’s small Sahnewal airport, which currently handles very limited traffic. Ludhiana, with a population of almost 4 million, is Punjab’s industrial and commercial hub. The new airport is expected to benefit the entire state and nearby regions.
Despite a project cost of Rs 50 crore, the airport has faced delays for over three years and missed at least 15 deadlines. However, now it’s finally nearing completion.